EASTHAMPTON – Easthampton has a new mayor but she as familiar as the man she is replacing – Karen Cadieux Mayor Michael Tautznik’s long time assistant has won the seat and becomes the second mayor in the city’s history.

While four ran, the race was between Cadieux and School Committee chairwoman Nancy L. Sykes. Cadieux won 2,568 to 1,627.

Candidates David Ewing and Herbert Glazier also ran but had a less visible presence during the campaign. Glazier, at 85, said he was challenged to run from friends at the Senior Center. His largest presence was his van about town bearing his name on the windows. Ewing, who works production at Yankee Candle, had few signs. Glazier received 90 votes, Ewing 49.

Cadieux was at the White Brook Middle School when it became clear she won and there were whoops and cheers. “I have the most experience,” she said. “Experience counts.” She said she ran “a positive campaign,” and she said from that “it was clear what I would provide to the city.”

Sykes, 72 campaigned on her leadership experience and having to make tough decisions in her work as well as on the School Committee. Sykes has been dean of students at Western New England University, a public school teacher both in this country and abroad and a criminal defense lawyer in New York City.

She said she was disappointed but “we gave some energy to Easthampton. I’m going to keep fighting for things we believe in.”

“I have the experience, the personality, the authority.…my life experience and inner authority” to make those decisions, she said at a pre-election interview.

Cadieux, 59, campaigned on her experience working side by side with the mayor since he was first elected. “I already have knowledge and that experience. No one else can say that,” she said in a pre-election interview. Her job title might be administrative assistant, but she said that was in name only.

“I have been a vital part of every decisions (the mayor made,) been a vital part of the (city’s) renaissance.”

The city charter changed in 1996 when voters elected Tautznik as the first mayor. While he had competition some years, he won easily in all elections.